above a structure - upstream of a structure

below a structure - downstream of a structure

check structure - control structure that permits water to be dammed immediately upstream to a desired elevation

crossing - a siphon or flue that allows a canal to cross a river, road, or other obstacle

delivery gate - structure used to deliver farm irrigation water from the canal to the field

drop - flow control structure that allows steep grades to be broken into several stepped sections, milder in grade to prevent erosion.

head - the amount of water flow in a canal measured in cubic feet per second; sometimes used as a reference to pressure

feet of water - the amount of water flow in a canal measured in cubic feet per second

grade board - 3" x 6" lumber stock placed across a control or diversion structure to control channel erosion

gate number - at multiple gate structures gates are numbered in ascending order from left to right when facing downstream

gate opening - opening between the bottom gate the structure bottom

hydraulic automatic gate - control gate that is raised or lowered by a mechanism that senses the level of the water surface

hydrographer - a ditch tender that has responsibilities on main canals

line up - flow diversions to be made from a main canal are aggregated and balanced to produce a set of flows to be diverted into laterals or deliveries

minus change - a decrease in the flow of a canal

operational discharge - excess flow discharged from a canal into another canal or drain due to operational activities

overpour flow - weir flow over a control gate or grade boards

plus change - an increase in the flow of a canal

pressure reach - the energy head available section of a canal between check structures

run - a set of laterals or deliveries assigned to Zanjeros or Hydrographers

run sheet - a list of water orders to be made at farm deliveries

tail water box - structure that allows discharge to run off the low end of farm fields

travel time - the flow time from one point to another in the irrigation system

undershot flow - orifice flow discharging through a gate opening

watermaster - appointed officer in charge of delivery of water

weir board - 3" x 6" lumber stock placed across a control or diversion structure to maintain flow or pond elevation

zanja - Spanish word for ditch

Zanjero - a ditch tender that has responsibilities on main canals